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Kent Animal Shelter on Thursday celebrated a $4.3 million renovation that replaces its decades-old kennel and isolation building with a modern facility designed to provide homeless, abandoned and abused animals a more comfortable, humane environment as they wait to be adopted.
The Calverton shelter’s ribbon cutting ceremony drew donors, volunteers, board members, local officials and community supporters. Special recognition was given to Executive Director Pam Green, who has led the shelter since 1985 and spent decades working toward this goal.
“Through her tireless work [Kent] has transformed into a thriving, life-saving haven,” Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said, reading a proclamation dedicated to Green and the shelter, “that over the years has saved, rehabilitated and place thousands of abused and abandoned cats and dogs in their forever home.”
To honor its longtime leader, the facility has been named the Pamela Semon Green Isolation Center.
“Pam has done so much for our four-legged friends,” Romain added, candidly.
Kent’s newly renovated building features expanded dog runs, dedicated puppy rooms, improved ventilation systems, upgraded quarantine areas and a state of the art sanitary system. Construction kicked off in 2024, with funding from a combination of grants and community donations.
Green noted that the shelter has been working toward this project for over 20 years.
“And today, we’ve got it done — a new home for the animals,” she said during the ceremony, thanking her staff and all of the shelter’s supporters
“From the bottom of our hearts (and paws), thank you for being part of this new chapter in our story,” the shelter said in the Instagram post.
‘Magical’
Romain noted later the importance of celebrating the renovation.
“The Kent Animal Shelter serves as a beacon of hope, bringing joy to thousands of local families for more than 55 years,” he said. “Today’s ribbon cutting signifies an important day as I’ve worked with the shelter for years to cut through the municipal tape to ensure this facility will continue to best serve our residents and animals in need.”
While the work was underway, veterinary services and cat adoptions continued at the Calverton site, with dog adoptions temporarily relocated to Bideawee Rescue in Westhampton.
Founded in 1968, Kent Animal Shelter operates as a no-kill sanctuary, placing thousands of animals in homes each year, while offering low-cost spay and neuter services to help control overpopulation.
